How to Start a Community Clothing Closet

I got mine started by first, finding a place to put it. Second, I started putting out word in my neighborhood for donations, going through my own closets, and asking friends to bring me their unwanted clothing.Third, I asked friends and family for any tables or bookcases that they no longer wanted. I also had a couple folding tables and an old book case. I was ready to get started! If you don't have a garage or building on your own property, try checking with local churches, food banks, and community centers.

I decided to use my garage at our apartment complex. I asked the landlord for permission first and was able to work with her so that I could have people from off the property come by and park in front of my garage to look through the clothes. She told me that as long as I didn't impede apartment traffic and didn't use one of the marked parking places, it was fine. I also agreed with her to not put any signs on the property or outside of the garage door.

I cleaned out the garage and made a sign on a white pillowcase that I hung from the garage door. I tuck it into the edge of the door when I close it up so it stays clean. I placed tables and book cases around the walls in the garage and I was set! I started putting out clothes on the shelves and tables. I was able to use an old metal hanging rack that was used for drying clothes and was able to use hangers, hung from the rack, to hang shirts and children's dresses. I also hung the longer items, coats, and shirts from the tracks for the garage door. I hang a few items from the bottom edge of the door to showcase them. I have a chair I can sit in and a TV tray to set my needlework, book, or whatever I use that day to stay busy.

It doesn't have to look like a retail shop to be able to do good for your neighborhood! As I handed out flyers and explained to people what I was doing, people responded by opening their hearts and donating. Before I knew it, I had more clothes than room!

I love doing this and it helps my neighbors out at the same time. I enjoy sewing and making things that I give away. I advertise on Facebook and Twitter and through word of mouth. Not only does it help people in my area to be self sustaining and consume less, it also keeps clothes out of landfills. What I don't hand out or that is too damaged or stained to donate goes towards making bags, rugs, and baskets that can be donated as well. Here is a picture of shopping bags made from old t-shirts.

To go to my facebook page for Peg's Community Clothing Closet https://www.facebook.com/PegsCommunityClothingCloset/

My Clothing Closet is in Full Swing!

 It's been a few months since I opened my clothing closet and it's going great! I had a couple months (September and October) when I had to close it while my daughter was in the hospital, but now that she has recovered, I'm back in the swing of things. I still feel very much that the best way to get through hard times is to pull together as a neighborhood and help each other. It's a sentiment that got a lot of people through the depression and I've seen it since in military communities, but now that we have so much turmoil in our government and programs are being cut left and right, people are having to turn to their communities to get through.

Enter Peg's Community Clothing Closet! Not only am I offering free clothes, but I also have a basket for people to donate canned and packaged food and household items and linens. The people living in my apartment complex and the neighborhood have been wonderful about donating. I started a facebook page and have had a great response from everyone! Peg's Clothing Closet

Here are some of the items I have available right now

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If you live in the Tacoma Washington area, come in and check it out. If you don't, but would be interested in starting one in your own town, do it! It only takes a space (mine is my garage) and some old bookshelves and/or a couple folding tables and you have all you need to get started. You would be surprised how generous people are in donating and how many people in you neighborhood need a little hand up.